NHL Trade Deadline 2014: Date, End Time, Hottest Rumors, Predictions and More

The 2014 NHL trade deadline is approaching fast, and fans from markets across North America are ecstatic for the rumored deals that could come to fruition before the deadline passes.

With huge stars like New York Islanders scorer Thomas Vanek, Vancouver Canucks power forward Ryan Kesler and newly acquired Buffalo Sabres goaltender Jaroslav Halak all reportedly on the market, what happens before the deadline is the focus of the entire league.

Here is all the vital information for the deadline and where fans can watch all the latest news and updates as the 11th hour approaches.

When: Wednesday, March 5

Time: 3 p.m. EST

Watch: TradeCentre on NHL Network (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST)

Hottest Rumors

Martin St. Louis Back in the Rumor Mill

TSN's Bob McKenzie reports the Rangers and Lightning continue to negotiate a potential deal involving Martin St. Louis as the trade deadline nears:

Dialogue between NYR and TB on Marty St. Louis trade is continuing. No guarantee it gets done but still a possibility. #TSN#Tradecentre

The Washington Capitals have acquired forward Dustin Penner from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Anaheim’s fourth round pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, previously acquired by Washington, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.

Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times had more info on the Penner deal:

Ducks get fourth-round pick from Caps for Penner, give that pick up for Robidas

Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced on Tuesday the acquisition of defenseman Mike Weaver from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a fifth round draft pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Ryan Kesler to Philadelphia?

According to Frank Seravalli of The Philadelphia Daily News, the Flyers are in the mix for the Canucks' Ryan Kesler:

Two league sources told the Daily News that the Flyers have tabled a "substantial offer” to try and pry Kesler from the Canucks. They have also asked about acquiring Vancouver defenseman Alexander Edler, who is reportedly on the market, as part of a larger trade - though that combined price is steep.

At this point, a little more than 24 hours shy of Wednesday’s 3 o’clock finish line, any deal of this magnitude seems rather unlikely. There are numerous obstacles in the way

Ryan Callahan, Staying or Going?

Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports Ryan Callahan is facing a major crossroads as the trade deadline approaches:

Big day for Ryan Callahan and the Rangers. Goal is to have a deal in place today. If not, a trade will be really possible. #tvasports

The New York Islanders acquired scoring forward Thomas Vanek from the Buffalo Sabres earlier this season for Matt Moulson, a 2014 first-round pick and a 2015 second-round pick, and the hope was that the franchise could sign him to a long-term deal.

After Vanek turned down a contract extension worth $50 million over seven years, it became clear that he wanted to test the open market as a free agent. That will force New York to deal the newly acquired forward before the deadline.

According to Arthur Staple of Newsday, “A half-dozen teams have asked Snow about Vanek, who has no goals and three assists in his last eight games.”

Vanek: "I know what's ahead and what could happen, but once you come to the rink you block it out."

Despite Vanek’s recent skid, there is no discounting the offensive prowess of the former Sabres first-round pick. He has scored 25 or more goals in seven seasons during his career and has reached the 40-goal plateau twice.

With plenty of teams looking to add offensive firepower before the deadline to boost the chances of making a deep run at a Stanley Cup, expect a perennial playoff contender like the Los Angeles Kings that need depth at forward to pull the trigger on a possible deal for Vanek.

Predicted Landing Spot: Los Angeles Kings

Ben Nelms/Getty Images

Ryan Kesler Drawing Interest from Pittsburgh?

Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler has been one of the most popular names rumored to be on the move before the deadline, but there are conflicting reports about whether or not he asked to be traded.

Kesler had missed Vancouver’s first game after the Olympic break while recovering from an injury, but he scored a shorthanded goal in his return to action and proved why he is one of the hottest commodities on the market.

The struggles for many of the top stars on the Canucks have hurt the team’s chances of making a deep postseason run, but the effort of Kesler has never been a question. If Vancouver is thinking to the future, moving Kesler at the deadline would likely yield the richest return.

With the playoffs within reach, though, the Canucks won’t part with Kesler.

Predicted Landing Spot: Vancouver Canucks

Mark Buckner/Getty Images

Buffalo’s Jaroslav Halak on the Move Again?

The St. Louis Blues are one of the best teams in the NHL, and the franchise only got better when it traded starting goalie Jaroslav Halak to the Buffalo Sabres for veteran Ryan Miller.

The Sabres are now reportedly trying to trade Halak.

According to a report from the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Wild would be an ideal trade destination if the sides could agree on the terms of a deal:

Murray is now trying to trade Halak to the Wild. He’s 28, in the last year of his contract and was 24-9-4 with the Blues with a 2.23 goals-against average. But some inside the Wild worry he was a product of the Blues’ stingy system and there’s a reason St. Louis felt Miller, not Halak, was the final piece of a Stanley Cup puzzle.

There is no questioning the validity of the concerns from the brass in the Wild organization about Halak’s future, but with starter Josh Harding dealing with complications from his multiple sclerosis, Minnesota needs to add depth at that position.

Halak will be an inexpensive addition who has shared the starting job throughout his career and will flourish in the Wild’s defense-first game plan.